The 2018 Beach Wrestling World Championships had wrestlers from 17 countries participating, with some interesting results. Read more here or check out the playlist of action packed matches on the UWW playlist.

Some new rule changes by UWW, including a new senior women's weight class. A more through look at the changes coming shortly.

Alongside the Beach Nationals, the Belt Wrestling Nationals opens up more opportunities for clubs hosting sand wrestling tournaments. The version used at the nationals is a modified version that takes place in the sand. The main focus is for the wrestlers to bring their opponent down to their back by controlling their opponent's belt.

We've changed our "Upcoming Events" page. Now we are utilizing "facebook events". It's easier to be notified when there is an upcoming Sand Wrestling event near you, all you need to do is "Subscribe" to the list of events.

If you don't use facebook, that's okay too. Just click on the "Upcoming Events" tab and you will be directed to the international listing of Sand Wrestling events. If you have a tournament to add to the list, just send us a message and we will add it to the page.

Here's a recap on the international rules as of 2018:

-The first wrestler to score 3 points is the winner.

-Matches are 3 minutes in duration.

-The size of the wrestling ring is 7 meters/ 23 feet.

-Takedowns are used for scoring (not the "sand-touch").

-Takedowns and push-outs are worth one point, and two points can be earned with a move that exposes the opponent's back towards the sand. Pins no longer end a match, but fall under the category of a 2 point move (note, you cannot score from two consecutive back exposures without first returning to your feet).

-Matches that are tied after the 3 minutes have elapsed, the person with the highest number of 2 points moves is the winner. If both wrestlers have the same number of 2 points moves, the wrestler who scored last is declared the winner. In the rare event of a 0-0 tie, the wrestler who scores first is the winner ("golden point").

-Youth age divisions are often extended to "the first to 5 points", sometimes adult divisions are also extended. This varies tournament to tournament.

Here are a few links to various sites containing some amazing pictures, videos, or articles. We will be working on updating the "Video" page to feature matches with the updated rules. Rob should also have a few more blog entries coming very soon. Check back often, and don't forget to like the "Sand Wrestling" page on facebook, or follow us on Twitter.

Sand Wrestling (also known as Beach Wrestling) has been an established International Style of amateur wrestling since 2005 by United World Wrestling (formerly known as FILA). It is regarded as the oldest version of mankind's oldest sport, reviving the rules of competitive wrestling before the use of wresting mats a little over 100 years ago. The easy-to-understand rules encourages people to try wrestling for the first time and has made this style spectator friendly, along with being held outdoors at the beach, sand pits that are commonly used for volleyball at local parks, and indoor sand-sport facilities. The shifting of the sand increases the difficulty of stand-up wrestling, when compared to mat-style wrestling, encouraging experienced wrestlers who are looking for a challenge to also give this style a try.

There numerous benefits that come with Sand Wrestling, such as the ideal fundraising venture for local clubs while offering their community an exciting event for men and women of all ages. The main purpose of SandWrestling.com is to promote this style of wrestling by providing information on the sport, share upcoming events, sponsor events through merchandise sales, and help get this style included into the Olympic Games.